Australia Forum
 | Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
The Australia Forum is a proposed convention centre complex for Canberra, Australia. The project was first put forward in 2011, and in 2017 its future became uncertain when the ACT Government withdrew funding for the preparation of a business case for it.[1]
History
[edit]In response to what its planners saw as the Australian capital's "lack of a sufficiently large, high quality, secure venue that can be locked down without disrupting the city, as well as a lack of sufficient accommodation of a suitably high standard"[2] a proposal was announced on 11 April 2011 for a $328 million complex in what is now Acton park on the shore of the Western basin of Lake Burley Griffin. The complex would include a plenary hall catering for up to 3000, a purpose designed Centre for Dialogue, a ballroom, large exhibition space, restaurants, bars, five-star hotel and associated parking.[3] The centre is expected to be able to securely host political dialogue meetings such as the G20 or CHOGM as well as trade conferences. Whilst the announcement of the plan was received with broad, though not unanimous, approval[4] it was noted in the Canberra Times's supportive editorial that the community rarely embraces such ideas usually for reason of public expenditure or vague public benefit. It was also noted that the Government might also be liable for substantial environmental rehabilitation costs before construction could begin.[5]
In March 2010 the Steering Committee for the "Australia Forum Scoping Study" was announced subsequent to several previously rejected proposals.[6] The Australian Capital Territory government invested $500,000 in 2010 for the scoping study and in April 2011 agreed to allocate a further $1 million for technical studies.[7]
In 2015, a design for the building was announced by Guida Moseley Brown Architects,[8] to be designed by Massimiliano Fuksas.[1]
Committee
[edit]The committee consists of:[9]
- Professor Peter Shergold, former head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (Chair)
- Dr Dawn Casey, Director, Powerhouse Museum and formerly Director, National Museum of Australia
- Professor Ian Chubb, AC, Vice Chancellor, Australian National University
- General Peter Cosgrove, AC, MC Chair of the Australian War Memorial Council
- Ms Virginia Haussegger, ABC News presenter
- Mr Rupert Myer, AM, Chairman of the National Gallery of Australia
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Future uncertain for Fuksas, GMB's Canberra convention centre". ArchitectureAU. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Need and Benefits". Australia Forum. 11 April 2011. Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- ^ "Australian Business Web Design Canberra". Thetechnocrats. 14 September 2019.
- ^ Ireland, Judith (12 April 2011). "Mixed feelings over $327m complex". Canberra Times. Retrieved 16 April 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Australia Forum would be an asset". Canberra Times. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "$328m complex 'home for national conversation'". ABC News. 11 April 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- ^ Ireland, Judith (11 April 2011). "City's waterside vision revealed". Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 15 April 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- ^ "Latest design for Canberra's proposed convention centre released". www.abc.net.au. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Australia Forum". Canberra Business Council. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
